Planning for Guests - Guest Room

Guest Room

Growing up I used to wonder at the seriousness my mother used to take when receiving visitors. One of her area of concern was the guest room. We had enough bedrooms for our family. So if a visitor is coming it meant that some members of the family will have to give way to the guest and she would make sure that we put the room in good order. All things like bed linen and blankets were inspected. It was real work!

One day we had unexpected guests. I watched her organizing the available resources just to make sure the guests were comfortable. She was the type of a host who would go as far taking her best linen from her bed to ensure that the guests were comfortable. One day I asked her why she attached such importance even to unexpected guests. She said, "A woman is the spirit of the home," translated in our shona language as "Musha Mukadzi." Then I understood why she attached so much importance to her guests whether invited or uninvited. She took receiving visitors as a blessing.

You produce after your own!

Newly married, Tinashe and I had not many resources-we were simply two hearts that loved each other. When we had our baby, we started receiving visitors and some were coming over for a weekend to rejoice with us. I found myself executing my mother's principles. I fondly remember one night that the two of us had to share one pillow because we had given the rest to our friends who had visited. It was fun! I grew from such experiences and developed a plan of how to make my guest room comfortable. I remembered how my mum creatively made visitors comfortable with what she had and I knew that not having money was not an excuse but it was the heart's attitude that mattered. Firstly, I listed what the guest room needed. Then I began to save and monthly buy one at a time for the guest room.  It has worked for me to put together my guest room. Now I look back and I feel so proud of having made such a decision.

Tips- Making guest room

• Prepare the room: Even if you have a maid or house help, do the final check yourself  to see if the spirit of the room reflects the person you are. This includes checking the curtains, windows, the floor and the room arrangement.

• Sleep time: It is one of the most important time for all of us. After the special fellowship and catching up from where you left--resting time should be comfortable. Check the bed linen. Use clean, washed and ironed linen. It doesn't matter whether it's new or old. Use what you have. Give your visitors a pillow that you would feel comfortable sleeping on. Pay attention to detail.  
• Bath Time: Take a 360⁰ look at the bathroom. Maybe you have a self contained guest wing or you are sharing the bathroom with the guest, it does not matter. The idea is to be in charge and check the bathroom before your guest enters. I prefer setting up the room with all necessities such as tooth paste, shower gel, set of towels, sewing set, shower cap etc. most of the times I have noticed that my guests uses some  of the things. Let us have a light moment. (I used to put good books with a mission to share empowering messages. I stopped when I realized that it tempted my guests to borrow the books. Now I put the Bible ).

• Let them Know: Let your visitors know that they can approach you if they need help or something. Familiarize them with the house. This includes letting them know where the bathrooms are. It would be embarrassing if your guest get lost into other people's bedrooms. For example water pressure may not allow two people taking a shower the same time. Advice your guest about such issues so as to minimize unpleasant surprises. If there are extra blankets show them where they are kept just in case .

•  Get to know- Get to know your visitors program for the next day. This will help you plan - for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Get to know their area of interest even in conversations. It pays to ask simple questions like what's your favorite sport, scripture, books etc. This applies to those who host guests you have not met before. The first time I hosted a team that I had not met before was not easy. That's how I learnt that some simple questions help you to flow as the host. Note*- it's not wise to engage in political discussions especially with guests you have not met before. It may be annoying.

• Show them- show your visitors that you were expecting them. It's such a blessing. My kids are excellent at that. They cannot hide their joy. Our princesses once  packed some gifts for our guest and we realized the gifts were their drawings. The guest who received them was overwhelmed by the warm welcome and she told us that she kept them in a safe place to preserve the fond memories.

You are being watched!

That's the truth. Remember the paragraph titled "You produce after your own." Our children are watching us. One day my daughters' Ballet teacher (a Scottish lady in her 80's) visited our home. Whilst I was catching up with her, my seven year old princess went into the kitchen. She took a beautiful tray, a small plate then put one of the freshly baked muffins. She came to serve her teacher. Believe me I was shocked and proud at the same time. Seeing that the little lady had already started some work I then had to help her complete the job. The ballet teacher commented her for being a virtuous little girl and she asked for another muffin. Finally when she was leaving she said, "You have beautiful daughters."

This was an awakening call for me that even a seven year girl is watching and emulating what I do. I have to  ensure I model the right version womanhood. I may not have a full understanding of womanhood but I believe in the grace of God.

Be inspired......Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home (homemakers), to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2: 3-5, (NIV with emphasis)